David M. Albala, MD, presented “Prediction of Extraprostatic Disease: Updates on NeuroSAFE, Histologic Scanner, Conventional Nomograms/Imaging, & AI-Assisted Prostate Cancer Mapping” during the 35th International Prostate Cancer Update conference on February 11, 2025, in Vail, Colorado.
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How to cite: Albala, David M. “Prediction of Extraprostatic Disease: Updates on NeuroSAFE, Histologic Scanner, Conventional Nomograms/Imaging, & AI-Assisted Prostate Cancer Mapping.” February 11, 2025. Accessed Jul 2025. https://grandroundsinurology.com/prediction-of-extraprostatic-disease-updates-on-neurosafe-histologic-scanner-conventional-nomograms-imaging-ai-assisted-prostate-cancer-mapping/
Prediction of Extraprostatic Disease: Updates on NeuroSAFE, Histologic Scanner, Conventional Nomograms/Imaging, & AI-Assisted Prostate Cancer Mapping – Summary
David M. Albala, MD, Chief of Urology, Crouse Hospital, Syracuse, New York, explores advancements in surgical strategies and diagnostic tools for prostate cancer management. In this 14-minute presentation, Dr. Albala emphasizes techniques to improve nerve sparing and reduce positive surgical margins.
Dr. Albala begins by discussing the NeuroSAFE procedure, a technique involving intraoperative frozen section analysis to assess surgical margins during prostatectomy. This method has shown promise in reducing positive margins, particularly in patients with T3 disease.
Albala highlights digital pathology, streamlining tissue assessment with improved accuracy. Digital microscopy has demonstrated comparable results to traditional microscopy and may offer a faster and more efficient means of evaluating histopathological features. He also shares that confocal laser microscopy is a promising advancement, capable of achieving results in just eight minutes, significantly faster than the traditional NeuroSAFE method.
Nomograms, such as the Partin tables, remain valuable in predicting extracapsular extension, lymph node involvement, and seminal vesicle invasion. However, MRI-based models show limited accuracy, underscoring the need for improved predictive tools.
Dr. Albala continues with a focus on AI-driven prostate cancer mapping technology. This approach integrates clinical data, biopsy results, and PSA levels to create 3D cancer estimation maps, offering precise visualization of tumor margins and aiding surgical decision-making.
